U.S. patent number 10,393,625 [Application Number 14/250,121] was granted by the patent office on 2019-08-27 for method and device for generating allowed input data trajectories for a testing system.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Robert Bosch GmbH. The grantee listed for this patent is Robert Bosch GmbH. Invention is credited to Bastian Bischoff, Volker Imhof, Ernst Kloppenburg, The Duy Nguyen-Tuong.
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United States Patent |
10,393,625 |
Nguyen-Tuong , et
al. |
August 27, 2019 |
Method and device for generating allowed input data trajectories
for a testing system
Abstract
A method for generating an allowed input data trajectory for a
physical system to be tested or measured, including providing an
input data trajectory in an input data space; determining an
allowed operating range; and replacing at least one segment of the
provided input data trajectory, which is outside of the allowed
operating range, by a trajectory segment within the allowed
operating range, in order to obtain the allowed input data
trajectory.
Inventors: |
Nguyen-Tuong; The Duy
(Leonberg, DE), Imhof; Volker (Kornwestheim,
DE), Kloppenburg; Ernst (Ditzingen, DE),
Bischoff; Bastian (Esslingen, DE) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Robert Bosch GmbH |
Stuttgart |
N/A |
DE |
|
|
Assignee: |
Robert Bosch GmbH (Stuttgart,
DE)
|
Family
ID: |
51618281 |
Appl.
No.: |
14/250,121 |
Filed: |
April 10, 2014 |
Prior Publication Data
|
|
|
|
Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
|
US 20140309948 A1 |
Oct 16, 2014 |
|
Foreign Application Priority Data
|
|
|
|
|
Apr 10, 2013 [DE] |
|
|
10 2013 206 258 |
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G01D
3/028 (20130101); G01D 1/14 (20130101); G01M
15/02 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G01M
15/02 (20060101); G01D 3/028 (20060101); G01D
1/14 (20060101) |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Evanisko; Leslie J
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Norton Rose Fulbright US LLP
Messina; Gerard
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method for generating an allowed input data trajectory for an
engine system to be tested or measured, the method comprising:
providing an input data trajectory in an input data space having
dimensions corresponding to a number of input variables of the
engine system, wherein the input data trajectory is a curve formed
by a sequence of combinations of input values of the input
variables, the input values being automatically generated for
testing or measuring the engine system, each of the combinations of
input values of the input variables having a corresponding
excitation of the engine system when applied to the engine system;
determining an allowed operating range for the combinations of the
input values of the input variables for testing or measuring the
engine system; replacing at least one segment of the provided input
data trajectory, which is outside of the allowed operating range,
with a trajectory segment formed of other combinations of input
values of the input variables to obtain the allowed input data
trajectory, the other combinations of the input values of the input
variables being within the allowed operating range; and exciting
the engine system to test or measuring the engine system using the
allowed input data trajectory, each of the combinations and other
combinations of the input values of the input variables of the
allowed input data trajectory being applied to the engine system in
sequence to obtain a dynamic excitation of the engine system at
different operating points of the engine system.
2. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the sequence of the
combinations of the input values of the input variables forming the
input data trajectory are uniformly distributed within the input
data space.
3. The method as recited in claim 2, wherein the allowed operating
range is determined as a convex envelope around allowed input
values combinations.
4. The method as recited in claim 3, wherein the allowed input
values combinations are determined in that the combinations are
recognized as allowed by an application taking place in a
stationary measurement of input values combinations selected from
the input data space, a stable operating point of the physical
system being assumed in the input values combinations.
5. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the segment of the
provided input data trajectory which is outside of the allowed
operating range is replaced by a trajectory segment of a first
edge-input values combination as a first point of intersection of
the input data trajectory with an edge of the allowed operating
range to a provided target to a second-edge input values
combination as a second point of intersection of the input data
trajectory with the edge of the allowed operating point.
6. The method as recited in claim 5, wherein the first edge-input
values combination and the second edge-input values combination are
adjacent to one another on the edge of the allowed operating
range.
7. The method as recited in claim 5, wherein the first edge-input
values combination and the second edge-input values combination are
determined by two consecutive points of intersection of the
provided input data trajectory with the edge of the allowed
operating range.
8. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the provided input
data trajectory is transformed into the allowed operating range, in
that the distances of the input values combinations on the input
data trajectory are reduced from a provided target in the allowed
operating range, in conformity with a scaling factor.
9. The method as recited in claim 8, wherein the scaling factor for
an input values combination is ascertained as a ratio of a distance
between the point of intersection of the connecting straight line
with the edge of the allowed operating range and the a center point
of the allowed operating range, to the distance between the point
of intersection of a connecting straight line elongated to the edge
of the input data space with the edge of the input data space and
the center point of the allowed operating range.
10. A device for generating an allowed input data trajectory for an
engine system to be tested or measured, comprising: an electronic
control unit, including a non-transitory computer-readable storage
medium storing a computer program, which is executable by a
processor, including: a program code arrangement having program
code for generating an allowed input data trajectory for an engine
system to be tested or measured, by performing the following:
providing an input data trajectory in an input data space having
dimensions corresponding to a number of input variables of the
engine system, wherein the input data trajectory is a curve formed
by a sequence of combinations of input values of the input
variables, the input values being automatically generated for
testing or measuring the engine system, each of the combinations of
input values of the input variables having a corresponding
excitation of the engine system when applied to the engine system;
determining an allowed operating range for the combinations of the
input values of the input variables for testing or measuring the
engine system; replacing at least one segment of the provided input
data trajectory, which is outside of the allowed operating range,
with a trajectory segment formed of other combinations of input
values for the input variables to obtain the allowed input data
trajectory, the other combinations of the input values of the input
variables being within the allowed operating range; and exciting
the engine system to test or measuring the engine system using the
allowed input data trajectory, each of the combinations and other
combinations of the input values of the input variables of the
allowed input data trajectory being applied to the engine system in
sequence to obtain a dynamic excitation of the engine system at
different operating points of the engine system.
11. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a
computer program, which is executable by a processor, comprising: a
program code arrangement having program code for generating an
allowed input data trajectory for an engine system to be tested or
measured, by performing the following: providing an input data
trajectory in an input data space having dimensions corresponding
to a number of input variables of the engine system, wherein the
input data trajectory is a curve fomed by a sequence of
combinations of input values of the input variables, the input
values being automatically generated for testing or measuring the
engine system, each of the combination of input values of the input
variables having a corresponding excitation of the engine system
when applied to the engine system; determining an allowed operating
range for the combinations of the input values of the input
variables for testing or measuring the engine system; replacing at
least one segment of the provided input data trajectory, which is
outside of the allowed operating range, with a trajectory segment
formed of other combinations of input values of the input variables
obtain the allowed input data trajectory, the other combinations of
the input values of the input variables eing within the allowed
operating range; and exciting the engine system to test or
measuring the engine system using the allowed input data
trajectory, each of the combinations and other combinations of the
input values of the input variables of the allowed input data
trajectory being applied to the engine system in sequence to obtain
a dynamic excitation of the engine system at different operating
points of the engine system.
12. An electronic control unit, comprising: a non-transitory
computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program, which
is executable by a processor, including: a program code arrangement
having program code for generating an allowed input data trajectory
for an engine system to be tested or measured, by performing the
following: providing an input data trajectory in an input data
space having dimensions corresponding to a number of input
variables of the engine system, wherein the input data trajectory
is a curve formed by a sequence of combinations of input values of
the input variables, the input values being automatically generated
for testing or measuring the engine system, each of the combination
of input values of the input variables having a corresponding
excitation of the engine system when applied to the engine system;
determining an allowed operating range for the combinations of the
input values of the input variables for testing or measuring the
engine system; replacing at least one segment of the provided input
data trajectory, which is outside of the allowed operating range,
with a trajectory segment formed of other combinations of input
values of the input variables to obtain the allowed input data
trajectory, the other combinations of the input values of the input
variables eing within the allowed operating range; and exciting the
engine system to test or measuring the engine system using the
allowed input data trajectory, each of the combinations and other
combinations of the input values of the input variables of the
allowed input data trajectory being applied to the engine system in
sequence to obtain a dynamic excitation of the engine system at
different operating points of the engine system.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE
The present application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.
119 of German Patent Application No. DE 10 2013 206 258.3 filed on
Apr. 10, 2013, which is expressly incorporated herein by reference
in its entirety.
FIELD
The present invention relates to a method and a device for
generating input data, in particular input data for a testing
system for measuring or testing a physical system to be tested,
such as an engine system having an internal combustion engine.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
When a physical system is tested, such as an engine system having
an internal combustion engine, measuring points must be predefined
as input data, which are present in the desired input data space
filling as much space as possible. The space filling property of
the input data means that within one input data space, the
measuring points of the input data are distributed as uniformly as
possible across the entire input data space.
Furthermore, the trajectories connecting the measuring points
should be dynamically filling, i.e., provide different dynamic
excitations for a measuring point or an operating range defined by
measuring points which are in close proximity to one another.
When measuring points for the input data are prepared, a trajectory
is normally ascertained using known methods, which are run at
varying speeds in order to provide different dynamic operating
points. However, during a dynamic excitation, it is more difficult
to ensure that the measuring points of the input data are
exclusively located within a feasible or allowed input data range
with regard to the physical system to be measured or tested.
Compliance with the allowed input data range for the measuring
points is even more important for dynamic test runs, since the
application of measuring points outside an allowed input data range
is more likely to result in damage to the physical system to be
measured. It may thus be important to provide input data for a
dynamic excitation of a physical system, in which damage to the
physical system to be measured may be avoided.
SUMMARY
According to the present invention, an example method for
generating allowed input data trajectories for a physical system to
be tested or measured is provided, and an example device and
computer program are provided.
According to a first aspect, a method for generating an allowed
input data trajectory for a physical system to be tested or
measured is provided, which includes the following steps: providing
an input data trajectory in an input data space; determining an
allowed operating range; and replacing at least one segment of the
input data trajectory, which is outside of the allowed operating
range, by a trajectory within the allowed operating range, in order
to obtain the allowed input data trajectory.
According to the above-described method for generating an allowed
input data trajectory for a physical system, the method limits,
changes, or maps a provided input data trajectory, which
corresponds to a curve of input values combinations having
correspondingly assigned dynamic excitations, to an allowed input
data trajectory within a predefined allowed operating range,
without losing the different dynamic excitations caused by the
provided input data trajectory. This makes it possible to preserve
the dynamic excitations within the predefined allowed operating
range and simultaneously ensure that no unallowed input values
combinations are provided as measuring points outside the
predefined allowed operating range.
This may be achieved in particular in that the limitation of the
input data range is predefined by the allowed operating range, and
measuring points of the input data or the provided input data
trajectory are transformed or changed in such a way that it extends
completely within the limitation of the allowed operating range.
The limitation of the input data trajectory to the allowed
operating range makes it possible to avoid possible damage to the
physical system to be tested due to dynamic excitations outside the
allowed input data space.
Furthermore, the provided input data trajectory may be formed by a
sequential application of combinations of input values of input
variables, which are in particular uniformly distributed within an
input data space.
According to one specific embodiment, the allowed operating range
may be determined as a convex envelope around the allowed input
values combinations.
It may be provided that the allowed input values combinations are
determined, in that the input values combinations are recognized as
allowed by an application taking place in a stationary measurement
of input values combinations selected from the input data space, a
stable operating point of the physical system being assumed in the
input values combinations.
Furthermore, the segment of the input data trajectory, which is
outside of the allowed operating range, may be replaced by a
trajectory segment of a first edge-input values combination as a
first point of intersection of the input data trajectory with the
edge of the allowed operating range to a provided target within the
allowed operating range, in particular to a center point of the
allowed operating range, and of the provided target, in particular
the center point, to a second edge-input values combination as a
second point of intersection of the input data trajectory with the
edge of the allowed operating point. In this way, an allowed input
data trajectory within the allowed operating range is obtained
without limitations of the dynamic excitation.
According to one first specific embodiment, it may be provided that
the first edge-input values combination and the second edge-input
values combination are adjacent to one another on the edge of the
allowed operating range, or are determined by two consecutive
points of intersection of the input data trajectory with the edge
of the allowed operating range.
Furthermore, the input data trajectory may be transformed into the
allowed operating range, in that the distances of the input values
combinations on the input data trajectory are reduced from a
provided target in the allowed operating range, in particular the
center point of the allowed operating range, in conformity with a
particular scaling factor.
It may be provided that the scaling factor for an input values
combination is ascertained as a ratio of the distance between the
point of intersection of the connecting straight line with the edge
of the allowed operating range and the provided target, in
particular the center point of the allowed operating range, to the
distance between the point of intersection of a connecting straight
line elongated to the edge of the input data space with the edge of
the input data space and the center point of the allowed operating
range.
According to another aspect, an example device is provided, in
particular an arithmetic unit, for generating an allowed input data
trajectory for a physical system to be tested or measured, the
device being designed in order to: provide an input data trajectory
in an input data space; determine an allowed operating range; and
replace at least one segment of the provided input data trajectory,
which is outside of the allowed operating range, by a trajectory
within the allowed operating range, in order to obtain the allowed
input data trajectory.
According to another aspect, an example computer program is
provided which is designed for executing all steps of the
above-described method.
The present invention also relates to a computer-readable storage
medium storing a computer program designed to generate an allowed
input data trajectory for a physical system to be tested or
measured, the computer program, when executed by a computer,
causing the computer to perform the steps of: providing an input
data trajectory in an input data space; determining an allowed
operating range; and replacing at least one segment of the provided
input data trajectory, which is outside of the allowed operating
range, by a trajectory segment within the allowed operating range
to obtain the allowed input data trajectory.
The present invention further relates to an electronic storage
medium storing a computer program designed to generate an allowed
input data trajectory for a physical system to be tested or
measured, the electronic storage medium, when executed by a
computer, causing the electronic storage medium to perform the
steps of: providing an input data trajectory in an input data
space; determining an allowed operating range; and replacing at
least one segment of the provided input data trajectory, which is
outside of the allowed operating range, by a trajectory segment
within the allowed operating range to obtain the allowed input data
trajectory. The present invention also relates to an electronic
control unit which has an electronic storage medium, the electronic
storage medium storing a computer program designed to generate an
allowed input data trajectory for a physical system to be tested or
measured, the electronic storage medium, when executed by a
computer, causing the electronic storage medium to perform the
steps of: providing an input data trajectory in an input data
space; determining an allowed operating range; and replacing at
least one segment of the provided input data trajectory, which is
outside of the allowed operating range, by a trajectory segment
within the allowed operating range to obtain the allowed input data
trajectory.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Preferred specific embodiments of the present invention are
explained in greater detail below with reference to the
figures.
FIG. 1 shows a flow chart for illustrating an example method for
generating input data for a test system.
FIGS. 2a and 2b show an illustration of a dynamic trajectory for
two input variables--speed and relative quantity of air of an
internal combustion engine--as well as a convex envelope for
limiting the input data space.
FIG. 3 shows a diagram of input trajectories within an allowed
operating range, which were ascertained by transformation of input
values combinations outside the allowed operating range according
to a first method.
FIG. 4 shows a diagram of input trajectories within an allowed
operating range, which were ascertained by transformation of input
values combinations outside the allowed operating range according
to a second method.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS
A flow chart for illustrating the method for generating input data
for a test system is shown in FIG. 1. The method starts at step S1,
in which a dynamic, time-continuous input data trajectory is
provided. The input data trajectory is generated within an input
data space whose dimensions correspond to the number of input
variables. The input data trajectory is made up of a sequence of
combinations of input values of input variables, which are started
one after the other at a certain rate in order to thus obtain a
dynamic excitation at different operating points. The individual
input variables of the input data space are provided with input
values ranges, which, when considered across all operating points,
include at least the occurring input variable values.
Due to the simpler presentation, two input variables are assumed
for a physical system to be tested or measured in the present
exemplary embodiment. The physical system to be tested or measured
is represented by taking an internal combustion engine as an
example using the input variables of a relative quantity of air RL
and a speed D. Although it is not possible to set the speed
directly, it may nonetheless be considered as an input variable,
which may be predefined with the aid of other variables, for
example, camshaft angle, quantity of fuel injected and the like, in
an internal combustion engine.
The input data may be generated automatically, e.g., by providing
the input variables as (asynchronous) chirp signals of different
periodicity or by providing the input variables as ramp signals
representing in particular linear ramps of different slope and
amplitude. The combination results in an input data trajectory that
is space-filling and provides various dynamic excitations for the
combinations of input values or for the operating ranges defined by
closely spaced measuring points.
The input data trajectory is thus generated as a transition between
measuring points, which are formed as combinations of input
variables ranges of the input variables which are distributed
across their entire input values ranges in a space-filling manner,
so that they cause different dynamic excitations of the physical
system. However, due to the dynamic excitation, there is the risk
of damage to the physical system, if the operating point defined by
the combination of the input variables values is outside an allowed
operating range.
Therefore, an allowed operating range for the input data generated
in step S1 is ascertained in step S2. The allowed operating range
may be ascertained by attempting to set stationary input values
combinations within the input data space. This makes it possible to
detect whether the input values combinations are achievable by the
physical system and are stable there, i.e., maintained without
additional interventions. For the internal combustion engine, this
means that the operating point defined by the input values
combination may be kept stable, in particular established based on
a constant speed without additional interventions. This is, for
example, illustrated in FIG. 2a by the represented points. Apparent
are measuring points P defined within the input data space by the
input values combinations which are assumed to be stationary
(applied), as well as areas in which no measuring points which may
be applied in a stationary manner are present, i.e., input values
combinations which were not able to be set. The provided input data
trajectory is denoted as E.
From the obtained feasible or allowed static measuring points, a
convex envelope H, which defines the allowed operating range, may
be calculated now in a conventional manner. For the above example,
convex envelope H is shown in FIG. 2b.
With the aid of convex envelope H, which defines the allowed
operating range, it is now possible to detect which parts of the
input data trajectory or which of the input variable combinations
generated in step S1 are within or outside the allowed operating
range. To avoid the above-described undesirable dynamic operating
conditions outside of the allowed operating range, the segments of
the input data trajectory outside the allowed operating range
should be avoided in the test system.
It is thus provided in step S3 to change the input data trajectory
in such a way that an allowed input data trajectory is achieved,
which runs only within the allowed operating range.
The transformation may be carried out using different methods.
According to a first method, a center point is initially calculated
as a mean value of the input values combinations on the edge of the
area enclosed by convex envelope H and/or on the convex envelope.
In the above example, the mean value corresponds to an operating
point at approximately 2,000 revolutions per minute and 50%
relative air quantity. Furthermore, the segments of the input data
trajectory, in particular the corresponding input values
combinations, outside the allowed operating range are discarded and
edge input values combinations are determined as points of
intersection of the input data trajectory with convex envelope
H.
The assigned edge input values combinations are replaced by new
trajectory segments, which run in a straight line or following a
first predefined curve from a first one of the edge input values
combinations to a provided target, such as the previously
determined center point, and from the provided target, e.g., the
center point, in a straight line or following a second predefined
curve to a second, for example, adjacent edge input values
combination. The first and second edge-input values combination may
be determined in each case by two successive points of intersection
of the input data trajectory with convex envelope H or by adjacent
points of intersection of the input data trajectory on convex
envelope H with the convex envelope.
The input data trajectory limited according to the above-described
first method to the allowable operating range is shown, for
example, in FIG. 3. FIG. 3 shows an allowed input data trajectory T
within the allowed operating range shown in FIG. 2b. It is apparent
that an input data trajectory runs from the edge area of the
allowed operating range at approximately 2,000 revolutions per
minute and 50% relative air quantity to the center point (provided
target).
According to a second method, the transformation may be carried out
as follows. A transformation is carried out for all input values
combinations on provided input data trajectory E. The
transformation places the input values combinations located outside
the allowed operating range on an operating point or measuring
point within the allowed operating range.
The transformation contains a calculation of the mean value, as
described above in connection with the first method, or a provision
of a target which is used as a reference value. The position of the
transformed input values combinations is ascertained by
ascertaining the distance of the input values combinations to be
transformed from the provided target, in particular the center
point. The transformed input values combination corresponds to a
measuring point on the connecting straight line between the center
point and the input values combination to be transformed, the
position of the transformed measuring point being determined by a
distance of the input values combination to be transformed on the
connecting straight line subjected to multiplication using a
scaling factor r. Scaling factor r corresponds to a ratio of a
distance between the center point and the point of intersection of
the connecting straight line with the edge of the allowed operating
range (convex envelope H) and the distance between the center point
and the point of intersection of the connecting straight line with
the edge of the original input data space. The result of such a
transformation of a provided input data trajectory into the allowed
operating range is shown in FIG. 4.
* * * * *